1983: the KFC murders

Seven years after losing her first husband, Diana is introduced to Paul Houston through a mutual friend. Paul was in his late 20's and serving time in a Texas prison. Under normal circumstances, Diana would have never dated anyone who had been in prison. But this was a total different situation than that of most criminals in the prison system. He was in prison after being shot by his dad, a retired law enforcement officer. His dad explained to Diana that it was all a matter of some misunderstandings. Wayne admitted that Paul had been a little "on the wild side" in his younger years. He told how Paul was on probation the night that they got into an argument and he pulled out his gun. But he insisted that it was all an accident when the gun discharged hitting Paul. Although no charges were filed on either part, Paul's probation was revoked and he was sent to prison. When Diana first met Paul, they quickly became the best of friends. Diana thought that he was the man of her dreams. His tall and large stature made him appear to be the picture of strength. His skills at hunting, fishing and gardening made Diana feel that he was a very resourceful man who knew how to live off the land. After serving three years in prison, Paul was ready to start a new life with Diana. Although he had a strike against him for having a criminal record, they felt that it was an obstacle that they could overcome. His past was his past and Diana was ready to make a future with him. But Diana wasn't being told the whole story. Shortly into the marriage, things started slowly leaking out and a different picture of Paul's past began to develop. The year was 1999, when Paul first started to talk to Diana about an unsolved murder that had been committed in his small Texas town. Although Diana had read about the crime back in 1983, she didn't know anything more than what was being printed in the local newspapers. Diana wasn't really surprised when Paul was able to give much more detail. After all, the crime took place in his hometown when he was just out of high school and with his father being friends with all the local law enforcement officers
it was surely the talk around the kitchen table. Diana didn't think much more about it until the subject started coming up on a regular basis. At some point she started to get an uneasy feeling. She turned to Wayne to answer some of her questions. He assured her that Paul had been home that night and there was no chance that he had any involvement into the crime. Diana believed and trusted Wayne. But just as the picture of Paul's past life had started to evolve . . . so did a clearer picture of Wayne. 1983 is a look into the underbelly of organized crime, corruption and greed. The story you are about to read is not one for the tender hearted. If you are easily offended by obscene language, this book is not for you. This book is written to show that things aren't always as they may appear and people aren't always who they may seem to be.